Patriots Notebook: Somber day with first cuts

The atmosphere in Gillette Stadium was solemn yesterday, and it had nothing to do with the Patriots' 0-3 preseason record. Yesterday's somber mood wasn't because of the losses on the field, but rather for the lost jobs about to come. The Pats had to reduce their roster to 75 by 4 p.m., and got to the limit by placing guard...

By Douglas Flynn/Daily News Staff

MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA

By Douglas Flynn/Daily News Staff

Posted Aug. 27, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 27, 2008 at 8:40 PM

By Douglas Flynn/Daily News Staff

Posted Aug. 27, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 27, 2008 at 8:40 PM

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The atmosphere in Gillette Stadium was solemn yesterday, and it had nothing to do with the Patriots' 0-3 preseason record.

Yesterday's somber mood wasn't because of the losses on the field, but rather for the lost jobs about to come. The Pats had to reduce their roster to 75 by 4 p.m., and got to the limit by placing guard Stephen Neal on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, putting tackle Ryan O'Callaghan on injured reserve and releasing undrafted rookie guard Ryan Wendell and veterans Kyle Eckel and Jason Webster.

"I think whether it's your second year in the league or your 12th year, it's a pretty somber day," said running back Sammy Morris. "You have guys that are potentially going to be losing their jobs, so typically it's kind of weird around here (on a cut day)."

Morris survived this round of cuts, though the running back situation remains muddled (see related story) even as Eckel's departure eliminates one player from the competition. The 5-foot-11, 237-pound fullback out of Navy played in 12 games last year, rushing for 90 yards and two scores on 33 carries after being activated from the practice squad on Oct. 1, but did not play in any of this year's preseason games.

Webster, a ninth-year cornerback signed as a free agent this offseason, also didn't play in the preseason. He was injured in the opening week of camp and did not return to practice until Monday, but was not on the field for the media access portion of practice yesterday.

Wendell did appear in all three preseason games, but the Fresno State product was a long shot to make the team. With Matt Light and Billy Yates returning to practice this week, the Pats feel they have enough depth on the offensive line to get through tomorrow's preseason finale against the Giants in the Meadowlands.

That depth did take a hit with the loss of Neal and O'Callaghan. Neal, a returning starter at right guard for the past four seasons, underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason and also injured his knee in the Super Bowl. He has not practiced at all in camp and cannot be activated from the PUP list until after the sixth game of the season.

O'Callaghan, the squad's top reserve tackle, will miss the entire season with an undisclosed injury. The third-year pro out of California started seven games in his first two seasons, but has been sidelined for all three preseason games this year.

"Of course the health of the players plays an important factor in some of the roster decisions and the overall makeup of the squad," said coach Bill Belichick in his morning press conference before the cuts were announced. "Whether it is PUP or whether it is the projected length of time that our medical staff feels a player would miss or whatever circumstances surround that. Those are the kind of things we discuss as a staff."

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Belichick understands the difficult nature of cut-down days. At one point early in his career, he drew the unenviable duty of informing the players they had to report to the coach with their playbooks for the bad news.

"That was my first job when I was with the Colts," said Belichick, who began his NFL career as a special assistant in Baltimore in 1975. "I think everyone knew at that point that I wasn't the one making the decision.

"But when they saw me it was bad news. They knew that. They knew if I was in the area that didn't bode well for them. If I wasn't in the area then the coast was clear."

Belichick doesn't have to deliver the news anymore, but making the decisions isn't any easier.

"It is hard," he said. "The players work hard and give a lot. Some of them have given a lot for a number of years. It is not all rookies that we are releasing. You develop a relationship with the guys. They have won for you, played for you and given you everything they've got. At some point you have to make those decisions. It is one of the least fun parts of the job."

***

There were a couple of twists yesterday in the ongoing Tom Brady saga. After returning to practice on Monday, Brady was not present for the media access portion of yesterday's workout. Brady also missed the team's Kickoff Gala last night, but did tape a message to fans that explained he had to "attend to a personal matter" and had flown to the West Coast, where his son and parents reside.

The club has not divulged any information on his injury, but ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that Brady is dealing with a "deep bone bruise" on his right foot.

Earlier in the morning, a pair of crutches was left in Brady's locker when the media was allowed into the room. Brady himself was nowhere to be seen and did not speak with reporters.

Before fans get too worked up though, it's highly possible that the crutches were left out in the open as a practical joke. It could have been Brady's way of poking fun at the media's insatiable appetite to uncover the details of his condition, or a teammate teasing the club's gimpy star. On Monday, a walking boot, similar to the one Brady was filmed wearing in New York before the Super Bowl, was sitting in his locker, but he practiced without any obvious discomfort later that day. ...

Brady was one of 15 players not present for the media portion of practice. Among the other absentees was wide receiver Wes Welker, who suffered a rib injury Friday night against Philadelphia.

Page 3 of 3 - When asked for an update on Welker's condition, Belichick was as coy as always with injury news. "Wes? He's doing all right," said Belichick with a smile.

Tight end Benjamin Watson, wideout Sam Aiken, safety Brandon Meriweather and offensive lineman Russ Hochstein were among the other notable players not on the practice field.

***

The Patriots gave the media a tour of the club's soon-to-be completed Hall of Fame at Patriot Place. Everyone will get a chance to check out the many interactive exhibits soon when the Hall opens within the next month.

The team also announced plans for an inaugural Induction Weekend on Sept. 18-21, which will be highlighted by an Induction Ceremony outside the Hall on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 3 p.m. The 12 current members of the Hall will all be re-inducted, while this year's honoree, Ben Coates, will also be officially inducted into the Hall. The ceremony is free and open to the public.

(Douglas Flynn covers the Patriots for the Daily News. He can be reached at dflynn@cnc.com.)